Here to help you grow and make an impact.
Hi, I’m Allison Guevara.
Growing up, I learned to value family, hard work, and stewardship of the great outdoors. I thrive in diverse groups, bringing energy to creative projects and focusing on the big picture.
I’m a natural empath, leader, and bridge-builder, and am fascinated by the complexity of people and organizations.
As a proud Xennial, I straddle the line between analog and digital, reminiscing about playing outside until dark while celebrating the dawn of the internet age. My journey took me from Minneapolis to Santa Cruz, where I’ve spent my adult life as a frontline organizer, advocate, facilitator, yoga teacher, and working mom. With extensive experience in organizational development, community organizing, public policy, advocacy, and leadership development, I’ve also become a decent Spanish speaker.
Most of my clients find me through word of mouth or past collaborations, and they love working with me for my “head, heart, hands” approach to social change.
My mantra: “We are strong and full of love.”
My credentials
After 2+ decades developing the next generation of social impact leaders, I had the great joy of deepening my skills by completing Co-Active’s Professional Coach Training program, respected worldwide as the gold standard of coaching and accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I am now on my way to obtaining a Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credential, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the ICF.
In addition, I am an active Positive Intelligence® mental fitness practitioner and coach, drawing on the latest in neuroscience to promote greater well-being, performance, and impact.
My background also includes:
Masters in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management from George Mason University
Bachelors in Philosophy from Carleton College
A decade of involvement in the Radical Transformational Leadership Program founded by Dr. Monica Sharma
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
My passion & purpose:
Sparking joyful and empowered living
Being curious, present, and in awe of people + planet
Championing diverse social impact leaders
Creating conditions for working families to thrive
I love being active in my body, working out, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, gardening, and doing home projects. My awesome husband, J., and I are raising three energetic boys (and two cats) who are masters at testing our patience and ensuring we have an incredibly vibrant life (you see those smirks, right?).
My experience:
Founder and executive leader of multiple community organizations
20+ years developing the next generation of leaders
Master facilitator and organizational development consultant
Social impact & DEI expertise
Yoga instructor
My specialties:
Wellbeing, mindfulness & trauma-informed culture
Work-life balancing, embracing the seasons of life
Justice, equity, diversity, & inclusion
Organizational development & group dynamics
Participatory engagement & community-driven, strength-based systems change
I already believe in you.
Find your way
Life is too complex and ever-changing to plan every step. But, when you know what you stand for, and tune into your inner wisdom, you can navigate any journey with clarity and purpose.
Build your confidence
Leading change in your life and in the world can be daunting, and sometimes we don’t feel like we’re enough. I invite you to embody compassion and courage every day. You are a gift to the world, and you don’t have to go it alone.
Expand your potential
Sometimes we have been in survival or grind mode for so long that we forget how to dream big. Coaching is a space to enliven your spirit, dial up your creativity, and bring more aliveness and possibility to this moment and the next. The sky is the limit.